Government Executive - Fedbloghttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/Government Executive Editor in Chief Tom Shoop, along with other editors and staff correspondents, look at the federal bureaucracy from the outside in.en-usSun, 18 Nov 2018 08:45:57 -0500Trump: ‘This Would be a Very Good Time to do a Shutdown’https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/11/trump-would-be-very-good-time-do-shutdown/152911/It’s impossible to predict how the president and Congress will reconcile their budget differences in the coming days.Katherine McIntire PetersSun, 18 Nov 2018 08:45:57 -0500https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/11/trump-would-be-very-good-time-do-shutdown/152911/News - FedblogPresident Trump walks from Marine One helicopter to board Air Force One for a trip to visit areas impacted by the California wildfires on Nov. 17.Evan Vucci/APEx-Senator Urges a Return to Bipartisan Oversighthttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/11/ex-senator-urges-return-bipartisan-oversight/152905/Democracy depends on it, says retired Sen. Carl Levin.Charles S. ClarkFri, 16 Nov 2018 17:08:32 -0500https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/11/ex-senator-urges-return-bipartisan-oversight/152905/News - FedblogThen-Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., shown above in 2014, says bipartisan oversight is critical to dealing effectively with challenges facing the nation today. AP file photoState Department Training School Has a New Man on Campus https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/10/state-department-training-school-has-new-man-campus/152358/Ambassador Daniel Smith takes the help of the Foreign Service Institute.Charles S. ClarkFri, 26 Oct 2018 16:40:49 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/10/state-department-training-school-has-new-man-campus/152358/News - FedblogAmbassador Daniel Smith, Director of the Foreign Service Institute, delivers remarks at his swearing-in ceremony at the Foreign Service Institute on Friday.State Department photoReport: Governmentwide Employee Satisfaction Survey Results Mostly Unchanged From 2017https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/10/report-governmentwide-employee-satisfaction-survey-results-mostly-unchanged-2017/152216/Results of the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey will show slight improvements in two of three primary metrics, according to a preview from one agency.Erich WagnerMon, 22 Oct 2018 17:14:13 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/10/report-governmentwide-employee-satisfaction-survey-results-mostly-unchanged-2017/152216/News - FedblogBy niroworld / Shutterstock.comComplaints After the Presidential Emergency Alert: Hatch Act Confusion, Technical Troubles and Morehttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/10/lots-people-did-not-want-get-emergency-alert-president-trump/151960/The FCC received dozens of complaints after the Oct. 3 message was sent to Americans' phones.Ross GianfortuneFri, 12 Oct 2018 10:05:18 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/10/lots-people-did-not-want-get-emergency-alert-president-trump/151960/News - FedblogFCCHope for Reforming Government in Polarized Times?https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/10/hope-reforming-government-polarized-times/151962/Margaret Weichert says she values the advice of former OMB deputy directors for management.Charles S. ClarkThu, 11 Oct 2018 16:42:37 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/10/hope-reforming-government-polarized-times/151962/News - FedblogBy Rob Crandall / Shutterstock.comTrump Feared Transition Officials Were ‘Stealing’ His Money https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/10/trump-feared-transition-officials-were-stealing-his-money/151776/In The Fifth Risk, Michael Lewis chronicles the administration’s chaotic struggle to take the reins of government.Charles S. ClarkWed, 03 Oct 2018 16:42:42 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/10/trump-feared-transition-officials-were-stealing-his-money/151776/News - FedblogPresident Trump at a campaign rally in Harrisburg, Pa., in April 2017.Evan El-Amin/Shutterstock.comWith or Without Congress, Would-Be Government Reformers Are Eager to Get Startedhttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/10/or-without-congress-would-be-government-reformers-are-eager-get-started/151702/Workforce planners would like to be given more freedom to experiment in areas such as hiring.Charles S. ClarkMon, 01 Oct 2018 14:54:46 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/10/or-without-congress-would-be-government-reformers-are-eager-get-started/151702/News - FedblogBy Orhan Cam / Shutterstock.comWhy Trump's Pay Freeze Move Shouldn't Have Surprised Anyonehttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/08/trumps-pay-freeze-plan/150958/It sparked outrage, but it wasn't unexpected.Katherine McIntire PetersFri, 31 Aug 2018 14:23:42 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/08/trumps-pay-freeze-plan/150958/News - FedblogPresident Trump announced back in February that he wanted to freeze federal pay in 2019.Michael Candelori/Shutterstock.comCan Feds Counter-Protest the White Supremacists in D.C. Without Violating the Hatch Act?https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/08/can-feds-counter-protest-white-supremacists-dc-without-violating-hatch-act/150435/Believe it or not, OSC has provided guidance on whether or not feds can rally against white supremacists.Ross GianfortuneFri, 10 Aug 2018 11:20:59 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/08/can-feds-counter-protest-white-supremacists-dc-without-violating-hatch-act/150435/News - FedblogViolence erupted at the first Unite The Right rally in Charlottesville in 2017.Kim Kelley-Wagner / Shutterstock.comData: Public Servants Are Older Than Almost Everyone In the American Workforcehttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/07/data-public-servants-are-older-almost-everyone-american-workforce/149285/New statistics have those in all levels of government pushing 50 years old.Ross GianfortuneTue, 31 Jul 2018 10:15:25 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/07/data-public-servants-are-older-almost-everyone-american-workforce/149285/News - Fedblog Evok20/Shutterstock.comThe Problem With Government Is Not the Peoplehttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/07/problem-government-not-people/149722/It is what it’s always been: the systems.Tom ShoopFri, 13 Jul 2018 15:30:22 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/07/problem-government-not-people/149722/News - FedblogLilly_M, from Wikimedia CommonsInspectors General Mark 40th Year Feeling Needed But Stretchedhttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/07/inspectors-general-mark-40th-year-feeling-needed-stretched/149689/It’s not exactly a mid-life crisis, but IGs need new skills and resources to keep up with the times.Charles S. ClarkThu, 12 Jul 2018 17:28:17 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/07/inspectors-general-mark-40th-year-feeling-needed-stretched/149689/News - FedblogJustice IG Michael Horowitz says the job is more challenging in this polarized environment. In June he testified before Congress about his report on the FBI's Clinton email probe. Manuel Balce Ceneta/APCan You Tell the Difference Between the Trump and Obama Management Agendas?https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/07/can-you-tell-difference-between-trump-and-obama-management-agendas/149515/See how you do on this pop quiz.Tom ShoopFri, 06 Jul 2018 11:58:19 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/07/can-you-tell-difference-between-trump-and-obama-management-agendas/149515/News - FedblogStaff Sgt. Marianique Santos/Defense DepartmentCall for Nominations: What Does It Take to Be Bold?https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/06/call-nominations-what-does-it-take-be-bold/149375/Nominations are open for the annual Bold program, a showcase of federal innovation on the edge.Aaron BoydThu, 28 Jun 2018 14:37:54 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/06/call-nominations-what-does-it-take-be-bold/149375/News - FedblogAlpha Stock ImagesPrez to Press: Is Reorganizing Government ‘Extraordinarily Boring’?https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/06/prez-press-reorganizing-government-extraordinarily-boring/149231/Trump gives the media the opportunity to opt out of viewing a briefing on the administration’s plan to overhaul the bureaucracy.Tom ShoopMon, 25 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/06/prez-press-reorganizing-government-extraordinarily-boring/149231/News - FedblogPresident Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, June 21, 2018.Evan Vucci/APA Gray Day Outside OPM: Employees React to Agency's Diminished Role Under Reorganization Planhttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/06/gray-day-outside-opm-employees-react-agencys-diminished-role-under-reorganization-plan/149227/Administration suggests transferring functions such as administering the federal employee health insurance program to other agencies.Charles S. ClarkFri, 22 Jun 2018 15:34:14 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/06/gray-day-outside-opm-employees-react-agencys-diminished-role-under-reorganization-plan/149227/News - FedblogBy Mark Van Scyoc / Shutterstock.comIt’s Hard to Kill an Agency, But Renaming One Is a Different Matterhttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/06/its-hard-kill-agency-renaming-one-different-matter/148805/The Trump administration reportedly wants to change the name of the Health and Human Services Department. There’s precedent for that. Take our quiz and test your knowledge.GovExec StaffThu, 07 Jun 2018 13:22:44 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/06/its-hard-kill-agency-renaming-one-different-matter/148805/News - FedblogHow NSA Motivated Employees to Keep Secrets in the 50s and 60s https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/06/nsa-motivational-posters-50s-and-60s-show-agency-its-most-whimsical/148690/Recently released security posters show whimsy and cultural savvy.Ross GianfortuneMon, 04 Jun 2018 13:55:23 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/06/nsa-motivational-posters-50s-and-60s-show-agency-its-most-whimsical/148690/News - FedblogNSA via Government AtticsNo, You Shouldn't Roast Marshmallows Over a Volcano Venthttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/05/no-you-shouldnt-roast-marshmallows-over-volcano-vent/148555/The social media team at the U.S. Geological Survey has answers to your volcanology questions.Katherine McIntire PetersTue, 29 May 2018 15:52:55 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/05/no-you-shouldnt-roast-marshmallows-over-volcano-vent/148555/News - FedblogAn aerial view of one of the fissures in the Kīlauea Volcano eruption.U.S. Geological SurveyA ‘Bureau’-cratic Debate Over an Agency’s Official Namehttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/04/bureau-cratic-debate-over-agencys-official-name/147722/Mick Mulvaney says the CFPB is really the BCFP.Tom ShoopWed, 25 Apr 2018 11:55:02 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/04/bureau-cratic-debate-over-agencys-official-name/147722/News - FedblogCFPB Acting Director Mick Mulvaney wants to be BCFP acting director.USDA photoTrump Derides Postal Service as 'Delivery Boy' in Tweet Knocking Amazonhttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/03/trump-derides-postal-service-delivery-boy-tweet-knocking-amazon/147070/Does the president know what USPS does?Ross GianfortuneThu, 29 Mar 2018 13:14:09 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/03/trump-derides-postal-service-delivery-boy-tweet-knocking-amazon/147070/News - Fedblog Tomasz Szymanski/Shutterstock.comPoll: The 'Deep State' Scares the Heck Out of Most Americanshttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/03/poll-deep-state-scares-heck-out-most-americans/146777/Only 13% were actually familiar with the term, though.Ross GianfortuneMon, 19 Mar 2018 14:49:02 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/03/poll-deep-state-scares-heck-out-most-americans/146777/News - FedblogA swamp? Mary Terriberry/Shutterstock.comColbert Heads to D.C. to Fill Out Trump's Governmenthttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/03/colbert-heads-dc-fill-out-trumps-government/146576/In a comedy bit, the comedian asks Max Stier about the vacancies and interviews regular Washingtonians for top-level positions.Ross GianfortuneSun, 11 Mar 2018 15:04:28 -0400https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/03/colbert-heads-dc-fill-out-trumps-government/146576/News - FedblogCBS via YouTubeSeven Things Agencies Could Buy With Trump’s Donation to Treasuryhttps://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/03/eight-things-agencies-could-buy-trumps-donation-treasury/146562/The Trump Organization reportedly donated $151,000 to cover hotel profits from foreign visitors in a nod to ethics concerns.GovExec StaffFri, 09 Mar 2018 16:12:23 -0500https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/fedblog/2018/03/eight-things-agencies-could-buy-trumps-donation-treasury/146562/News - Fedblog